No, sleeping on a refrigerator is not illegal in Delaware backyards under state law; this appears to be a debunked urban myth or misattributed “dumb law,” with no specific statute prohibiting it statewide.​
Origins of the Myth
Lists of quirky laws often claim Delaware bans sleeping atop refrigerators outdoors, but searches yield no matching code in Title 31 (Housing) or local ordinances beyond general safety rules like prohibiting refrigerators accessible to children without lock removal. Similar myths target Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh refrigerators) or other states, stemming from old discarded appliance laws twisted for humor. Delaware’s codes focus on habitability, ventilation, and fire hazards in dwellings, not backyard sleeping spots.​
Relevant Property and Safety Rules
Backyard use falls under zoning and nuisance laws; unattended appliances must not endanger children by lacking easy interior escape. Housing codes bar sleeping in nonhabitable spaces like kitchens indoors but ignore outdoor refrigerators. Local codes (e.g., Rehoboth Beach) regulate vehicles or abandoned structures, not personal yard furniture.​
Practical Implications
Property owners can place and use refrigerators outdoors if compliant with electrical, sanitation, and zoning standards—no sleeping ban exists. Fire risks from overloaded circuits or improper placement apply universally, but sleeping itself carries no penalty. Verify with local authorities for ordinances, as myths exaggerate real safety intents.
SOURCES
[1](https://delcode.delaware.gov/title31/c041/sc02/index.html)
[2](https://www.desu.edu/student-life/housing-dining/apply-housing/residential-policies-procedures)
[3](https://ecode360.com/7274436)
[4](https://www.reddit.com/r/legal/comments/2z6xa6/why_is_it_illegal_to_sleep_atop_a_refrigerator_in/)
[5](https://www.udel.edu/students/reslife/housing-info/our-policies/)
